Berthold Hub: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2021

Name PD Dr. Berthold Hub
FieldHistory of art and architecture
Address
Geschichte und Theorie der Arch.
ETH Zürich, HIL D 65
Stefano-Franscini-Platz 5
8093 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
E-mailberthold.hub@gta.arch.ethz.ch
DepartmentArchitecture
RelationshipPrivatdozent

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
052-0832-21LBasic Concepts in Architectural Theory 18th to 20th Centuries: From Atmosphere to Sign Information
This course is offered until end of FS22.
This course is full. Do not register as of 1.2.21.
2 credits2SB. Hub
AbstractThe seminar is devoted to central concepts and exemplary texts from the history of architectural theory of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, the reading and analysis of which is introduced by a short student presentation and concluded by a synthetic written commentary.
ObjectiveThe seminar examines central concepts of architectural theory in their historical and social contexts in order to understand them in their respective cultural context. In a second step, questions should be asked about the consequences of the architectural-theoretical concepts on the actually built architecture. Finally, the lasting importance for the architectural-theoretical discourse and the built environment today is discussed.

The texts are chosen in such a way that a representative overview of the central architectural-theoretical concepts of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries is obtained. The focus, however, is on practicing the critical analysis and interpretation of historical texts (and buildings) and their confrontation with the present.
Finally, the analysis of the conditionality of historical concepts should also lead to a better understanding and a sharper awareness of the conditionalities of one's own positions and discourses.
ContentThe design of architectural forms and spaces is based not least on theories that are determined by the historical and social context and the contemporary discourses in other disciplines, sometimes also by little or no longer reflected fashions, on which they have an effect. In the 18th century, for example, the architectural-theoretical concept of the sublime was preceded by a philosophical questioning of beauty and proportions as well as a romantic conception of nature. The concept of the monumental arose around 1910 in the context of the modern city characterized by industry and traffic and as a reaction to “a previously unknown optization of life“ (W. Hellpach) and “the growing nervousness of our time“ (W. Eckart). Etc.

After brief historical introductions to the respective epoch in question, we turn to central terms of architectural theory of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, such as mimesis, beauty, character, style, clothing, the sublime, empathy, shape/form , Monumentality, rhythm, transparency, sign/symbol, atmosphere, identity/authenticity. An exemplary text is provided for each term, which the students should contextualize, analyze and relate to contemporary architecture in independent individual or small group work. For the teaching units, which are each devoted to one or two texts (in chronological order), a brief introduction to the respective text and its author is given and - after reading them together - the discussion is to lead, which also deals with the meaning of the historical terms and concepts should go for the present. A written version of the presentation must then be prepared, which takes into account the results and suggestions of the discussion. The final aim of the seminar is to print an annotated anthology of central texts on architectural theory of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries along their most important terms.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe course is full. Please do not register as of 1.2.2021!